Villages and Food
Eight days to discover Côte d’Ivoire at the table: one people, one cuisine, from the maquis of Abidjan to the Agni, Baoulé and Ebrié villages and the lagoon of Assinie.
Overview
In Côte d’Ivoire every people has its own dish, and every dish tells a way of life: foutou pounded in the mortar, attiéké that the women make from cassava, kédjénou simmered slowly in its clay pot, fish smoked on the beach.
This journey crosses the south and centre of the country by sitting down at each table: the maquis of Abidjan, a cocoa plantation and a home-cooked meal in Agni country, a Baoulé cooking workshop in Kondeyaokro, attiéké making in an Ebrié village, the fish smokehouses of Azuretti and a fish lunch on the shores of the Assinie lagoon. Between meals, the dances that go with the life of these peoples: the Komian, the Akoukoubè, the Goli and the Zaouli.
Eight days on the ground, arriving in and departing from Abidjan.
Highlights
- The maquis of AbidjanAlloco, garba, grilled fish and bangui, in the city’s popular open-air restaurants.
- Cocoa and Agni cookingA cocoa plantation in the Indénié and a home-cooked meal: plantain foutou and palm-nut sauce.
- Baoulé cookingA workshop in a family courtyard in Kondeyaokro, with kédjénou cooked in its clay pot.
- The attiéké of BlockhaussThe women of this Ebrié village in Abidjan turn cassava into the national dish.
- Four dancesThe Komian of Aniassué, the Akoukoubè, the Goli of Kondeyaokro and the Zaouli of Bouaflé, inscribed by UNESCO.
- The coastThe smokehouses of Azuretti, the pineapples of Assinie and a fish lunch by the lagoon.
Itinerary
Abidjan and its maquis
Arrival in Abidjan, meet and greet at the airport and transfer to the hotel to rest. At dusk, a tour of the maquis, the popular restaurants where the city comes alive: alloco, fried plantain; garba, attiéké with fried tuna; grilled fish and chicken, and a glass of bangui, palm wine.
Night in Abidjan, Seen Hotel or similar · Dinner in the maquis
The Komian, cocoa and Agni cooking
East to the Indénié kingdom, in Agni country. In Aniassué, the school of the Komian priestesses and their dance. Around Abengourou, a great cocoa and coffee centre, a visit to a plantation: from the pod to the beans, fermented and dried in the sun.
Lunch with an Agni family: plantain foutou, pounded in the mortar, with palm-nut sauce.
Night in Abengourou, Hôtel Le Royaume or similar · Full board
The Akoukoubè and Yamoussoukro
To the political capital. Near Bongouanou, a traditional welcome ritual and the Akoukoubè, the dance of the Akan villages of the area. Arrival in Yamoussoukro in the afternoon: the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, one of the largest churches in the world, and the lake of the sacred crocodiles.
Night in Yamoussoukro, Hôtel des Parlementaires or similar · Full board
Baoulé cooking and the Goli
A day in Kondeyaokro, a Baoulé village of weavers. A cooking workshop in a family courtyard: kédjénou, chicken slowly cooked in its clay pot without a drop of water, and yam foutou, shared together afterwards.
In the afternoon, in the courtyard of the royal court, the dance of the Goli masks, and a visit to the village weavers.
Night in Yamoussoukro, Hôtel des Parlementaires or similar · Full board
The Zaouli and attiéké
In the morning, in Bouaflé, in Gouro country, the Zaouli, inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: the dancer’s feet move faster than the eye can follow.
Back to Abidjan and, in the afternoon, Blockhauss, an Ebrié village on the lagoon, where the women make attiéké: the cassava is peeled, grated, fermented and steamed.
Night in Abidjan, Seen Hotel or similar · Full board
Grand-Bassam and the smokehouses of Azuretti
To Grand-Bassam, the first colonial capital, a UNESCO World Heritage site: the colonial quarter and the National Costume Museum. In the afternoon, Azuretti, a fishing village between the lagoon and the sea, where the women smoke fish in their traditional ovens.
Night in Grand-Bassam, La Madrague or similar · Full board
Assinie, pineapples and the lagoon
The road to Assinie through plantations. A stop at a pineapple plantation, to taste the sweet Ivorian pineapple freshly cut. A fish lunch on the shores of the lagoon and a free afternoon between the lagoon and the ocean.
Night in Assinie, Coucoué Lodge or similar · Full board
Assinie and departure
A free morning on the beach. Lunch and transfer to Abidjan airport in time for your flight.
Breakfast and lunch · End of our services
The Ivorian table
Some of the dishes you will find along the way, from street stalls to family tables.
What’s included
- English-speaking guide from start to finish
- Air-conditioned vehicle with driver, and all transfers
- 7 hotel nights in a double room
- Full board, from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 8
- Maquis tour, Agni home-cooked meal, Baoulé cooking workshop, attiéké making, pineapple plantation and lunch by the lagoon
- Komian, Akoukoubè, Goli and Zaouli dances, with the protocol and offerings to the villages
- Visits and entrance fees as listed, mineral water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights
- Ivorian visa and yellow fever vaccination, which is compulsory
- Travel and repatriation insurance
- Drinks, except the tastings in the programme
- Tips and personal expenses
Accommodation
| Stop | Hotel, or similar | Nights |
|---|---|---|
| Abidjan | Seen Hotel | 2 |
| Abengourou | Hôtel Le Royaume | 1 |
| Yamoussoukro | Hôtel des Parlementaires | 2 |
| Grand-Bassam | La Madrague | 1 |
| Assinie | Coucoué Lodge | 1 |
Good to know
The Ivorian table. In homes people often eat with the right hand, from a shared dish. Your guide will explain the customs; cutlery is always available if you prefer.
Spice. Many sauces contain chilli. Let us know and we will ask for mild dishes. Please also tell us about any allergy or diet when you book.
Dances, not shows. The dances take place in the villages, with the people who live there. If a village event prevents a dance on the planned day, we replace it with another of equal standing, at no extra cost.
Photography. In markets, in homes and during the dances, ask before taking photos. Your guide will tell you when it is possible.
Request a quote
Tell us your dates and the number of travellers. We reply by email or WhatsApp, in English, with a detailed quote.